Op-Ed: As the annual political party conference season in the UK draws to an end Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is putting together his Shadow Cabinet.
Out is Andy Burnham who announced at the Labour Party conference he was stepping down from his shadow cabinet role to concentrate on getting elected as Mayor of Manchester. His announcement was criticised for its timing though the gist of the announcement was expected. Jeremy Corbyn tweeted "Thanks @andyburnhammp for outstanding service. @HackneyAbbott will serve as Shadow Home Secretary with the same commitment & passion." So veteran Labour politician Diane Abbott is in. She is respected and admired by some but loathed by others. Diane will be a good ally for Mr Corbyn. In is Shami Chakrabarti who is the new shadow attorney general. This appointment was expected but could also be abused by the mainstream media if they choose to make it divisive. Out is Labour Party Whip Rosie Winterton, sacked and replaced by one of Gordon Brown's allies in government Nick Brown. All mainstream media publications online are following the shadow cabinet reshuffle which is underway Thursday evening and the Independent reports : "Labour also notes that this shadow cabinet has the most BME [black people and ethnic minorities] people in of any cabinet or shadow cabinet ever. They list: Diane Abbott MP Dawn Butler MP Baroness Shami Chakrabarti Clive Lewis MP Kate Osamor MP" “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dawn to my shadow cabinet. I am very proud that the Labour Party now has five MPs in our shadow cabinet from the BAME community – the highest number ever in any cabinet or shadow cabinet” said Jeremy Corbyn. In February 2016 Dawn Butler spoke of her first few days in the House of Commons noting a Tory MPs assumption that she was probably a "cleaner" due to her black skin. We reported "THEY defines David Heathcote Amory comments as racist." Clive Lewis MP and Kate Osamor MP proved loyal Labour Party members through the summer. Inexperienced and young when it comes to positions in the shadow cabinet they did not let Corbyn and his team down nor his supporters. There were other "Corbynloyalists who hopefully will remain in post. Though some in the mainstream media and on social media are mischief making and saying some of the changes are in effect "Mr Corbyn" sticking up two fingers to members of the PLP who plotted against him this Summer this Labour Party member applauds his decisive actions. Mr Corbyn is a "nice guy." In some ways that has been hid downfall. It is now time to get tough and the Parliamentary Labour Party members need to put up or shut up and maybe move on. Will Seumas Milne the Labour Party's Executive Director of Strategy and Communications, on leave from The Guardian, and appointed the role in October 2015 survive this political cull? For various reasons a range of people would like to see the back of Mr Milne. There are rumours that Damian McBride is to replace Seumas Milne. Changes also announced tonight include:
Wrong again Mrs Philips! Mr Corbyn needs to get a good team in place for when the parliamentary recess ends. Looks to me like he is doing just that and toughening up. Well done Jeremy Corbyn but make sure shadow chancellor John McDonnell stays in post please. Part Two Friday Here |
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